These vehicles will not be able to use the A-2 bus-hospital lane: complete list and opening date after the summer

The opening of the new Bus-Hov lane on the A-2 motorway will mark a turning point in mobility toward Madrid, especially for drivers who access the city daily from the Henares Corridor. However, not everyone will be able to use it: the rules are clear and directly affect those traveling alone in their vehicle , even if they drive an electric or hybrid car. This represents a paradigm shift compared to other traffic measures, where environmental labels were the main access criterion. The focus shifts to vehicle occupancy as a crucial element in reducing congestion and emissions.

As confirmed by the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), this exclusive lane will come into operation after the summer of 2025. Although the use of environmental labels has been decisive in other recent measures, in this case the criterion will be different: the priority will not be the technology of the car, but how many people travel in it . This was made clear by the Director General of Traffic, Pere Navarro , who stated in a forum organized by Executive Forum: " There will be no labels for driving on the Bus-VAO on the A-2 ."

The measure aims to reduce the number of single-occupant vehicles and encourage carpooling as a strategy to combat traffic jams and pollution. Therefore, unauthorized vehicles are those that do not meet the high-occupancy target.

List of vehicles that will not be able to circulate on the Bus-VAO

• Passenger cars with only one person on board , even if they have a ZERO or ECO label.
• Vehicles other than authorized passenger cars, motorcycles or buses .
• Vans that do not comply with the conditions of the General Traffic Regulations .
• Cars that try to access without meeting the required requirements .

Furthermore, surveillance will be reinforced with cameras and license plate readers that will automatically detect if the vehicle is violating the regulations. The penalties, although not detailed, could be significant in the case of fraud. The DGT (Directorate General of Traffic) wants to prevent this lane from becoming even more congested by drivers who disregard the rules.

Who will be able to use this new lane?

The Bus-HOV lane on the A-2 will be open to cars with at least two occupants, motorcycles, and buses , including articulated buses. Adapted mixed vehicles with two or more people on board will also be able to use it. Unlike other dedicated lanes, this project will not require specific technology or environmental labels, but rather a collaborative approach.

A postponed project that finally sees the light

The infrastructure was first announced in 2017, but its development was delayed for years due to political and budgetary reasons. Now, it will finally be implemented in phases. The first phase will connect Torrejón de Ardoz (km 23.5) with the M-30 (km 4.2) , totaling 14.3 kilometers of access. On the exit route, the lane will operate between kilometers 6.1 and 14.9 , near the San Blas-Canillejas district.

This new reserved corridor will be activated only during peak hours and will feature variable signage, beacons, and intelligent management systems. The main access points will be in Torrejón de Ardoz, San Fernando de Henares , and Canillejas . The second phase , still with no specific date, will expand the section between Alcalá de Henares and Torrejón .

According to Traffic, more than 20,000 people could benefit from this new system every day . The goal is clear: reduce travel time, improve traffic flow, and lower fuel consumption . Unlike other regulations, this initiative does not discriminate based on car type, but rather encourages more rational mobility.

With this measure, the DGT is promoting a mobility model based on occupancy rather than purchasing power. Carpooling will no longer be just an environmentally friendly option, but also the only way to benefit from the new Bus-HOV on the A-2 . Those who don't adapt to this approach run the risk of getting stuck in the usual traffic jams, while others move along in a reserved lane that, this time, rewards collaboration and real efficiency on the road.